Bipartisan Defense Bill Passes House

NDAA includes largest military payraise in six years Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. With the support of U.S. Representative Will Hurd the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017 which will provide $619billion in authorized defense funding. Among the bills provisions service members will receive a 2.1 percent pay increase the largest raise in six years and incur no changes to out-of-pocket health care costs.  This is the 55^th year that the NDAA will be authorized by Congress. With multiple bases in and around TX-23 this bill ensures stability for military families in my district while strengthening our national security" said Hurd. By providing the necessary funding and tools that they need we are standing by our brave men and women who make daily sacrifices to protect our liberty." Highlights of the NDAA  include:

• $619 billion for national defense $9 billion over the Presidents original budget request
• A 2.1 pay raise for our service members for the first time in 6 years;
• No changes to out-of-pocket health care costs for current force or retirees;
• Extended medical care capabilities at Military Treatment Facilities;
• No changes to Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) including dual military families;
• Investments in new more effective equipment and capabilities;
• Increased resources for cybersecurity operations
• Hurd language to combat the flow of terrorists who return home after traveling and training abroad
• Acquisition reform to get the latest technology into the hands of service members faster and more efficiently
• Resources against Russian aggression in Eastern Europe the Middle East and Asia;
• Increased accountability and Congressional oversight of senior civilian and military leadership;
• Organizational reform of the DoD to increase accountability oversight integration and strategic thinking;
• Debt forgiveness to the California National Guard troops who were unfairly forced to pay back signing bonuses;
• Prohibition of prisoner transfers out of Guantanamo Bay facility; and
• Reforms to the National Security Council by capping staff at 200 people

The House approved the FY2016 NDAA by a final vote of 375-34.